The Choya to Dankunku highway which has been in a dilapidated condition since the Second Republic, has been one of the issues affecting communities of the area. During a well attended meeting at Dankunku, speaker after speaker urged the government to construct the road with a view to not only connect communities within the area, but to also link CRR south and CRR north.
Due to the bad road network, local dwellers said, motorbikes charge a transport fare of 150 dalasis in order to reach Choya while commercial vehicles charge 25 dalasis.
Speaking at Dankunku, Alhagie Mboge, the alkalo of the village urged the government to prioritise the construction of the road. He equally urged the government to help the police in the area with mobility. “It’s very difficult for the police to timely respond to emergencies due to the lack of vehicles. When there is a crime, we would send a motorbike to the police for them to react on time.”
Ngange Dampha, the chief of the area commended the government for providing communities of the area with enough fertiliser, rice seeds and potable water. However, he was quick to also join various speakers and lamented the difficulties security personnel encounter in the area as a result of the lack of mobility. “Sometimes the police respond to crime scenes late due to lack of mobility.”
Chief Dampha also appealed for the construction of the Kerr Katim and Kerr Alagie roads, saying that their conditions are bad. He equally talked about poor groundnut harvest this season.
For his part, Ganyadou Jallow, also talked about the bad road condition, as he appealed to the government to help construct the road.
Jallow also called on the Barrow government to provide them with schools, and boreholes. He equally calls on the government to equip the hospitals within the area with enough medicines.
“We don’t have water in Dankunku and animal drinking points. When it rains, we take all our cattle to Jarra in Lower River Region. Our livestock have no places for grazing unless they pass through people’s farm lands,” he reported.
On his part, the Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Food Security, Dr. Demba Sabally revealed that over 300 bags of organic fertiliser was provided to communities in Niamina East, West and Dankuku for their gardens.
According to him, a drinking point was built in Niamina Sowe Kunda and a breeding centre in Mamud Fanna, Sambang and Njie Kunda. “We understand that one is not enough for all the communities. I can assure you that we are working towards addressing this as soon as possible.”
Responding to some of the concerns raised, President Barrow said: “We have not forgotten Niamina. We will construct roads in all the three districts in Niamina. In fact, all these roads have been approved and work will commence soon,” he promised.
On the electricity concerns, he said: “Electricity problem will soon be the thing of the past in the country as my government will ensure that every community in the country has access to electricity.”
Kudang Health Centre he said, will be renovated and upgraded to provide quality health service delivery for communities of the area.
“We will build a health post at Jisadi and build a health post in Jarreng with the support of our partners. We will also provide fishing materials to the fisher folks in Jarreng with a view to ensure that people have access to fish and at a cheap price.”
Speaking at a joint meeting at Galleh Manda in the Upper Fulladou District, Yama Gaye, the vice president of Galleh Manda Ladies Club urged the president to help them and construct the Galleh Manda road, saying: “With good roads within the area, Galleh Manda can be one of the major trading centres in the region. Again, the roads to Galleh Ward, Jahanka, and Yerro Berry Kunda are in a bad condition. The only better road in this area is Galleh Manda to Janjangbureh.”
“Our hospital does not have medicines and nurses. We share the same ambulance in Galleh Ward. In fact, you will have to pay D700 for the ambulance to take you to the hospital [Bansang] which is a big challenge for us as a community.”
